The last decade has seen a sharp rise in the pressures placed on general practice. This includes an increased volume of work, as well as a broadening range and complexity of conditions and patients.

This makes it more important than ever to come together to show appreciation for, and solidarity with, those performing well under difficult conditions. How fitting that it should also be the tenth anniversary of the General Practice Awards.

The secret to effective management is that there is no secret. No matter how many airport-bought paperbacks written by ‘business gurus’ tell you there is. There’s no one great key to unlocking how to become an excellent manager and inspire those that work under you. But staff motivation in general practice is a great place to start.

High-quality electronic records contain complete and accurate information about each patient's health. When your data is correct, you can rely on it and make clinical decisions with confidence. However, missing, inaccurate or non-standard information can lead to inconsistent care.

The goal of social prescribing is to improve patients' health by providing them with a non-clinical intervention. Social prescribing aims to de-medicalise health conditions and support patients to take more control of their own health. It aims to treat patients - not illness.

In October 2016, a set of requirements for extended access was published. This was in response to the government's mandate to NHS England: "To ensure everyone has easier and more convenient access to GP services, including appointments at evenings and weekends."

People in the UK are living with chronic illnesses but not getting appropriate treatment. Without intervention, patients face worsening health with irreversible damage. For some, the outcome will be worse than this. No one is to blame for these undiagnosed conditions. The NHS is not at fault. So what is the problem, and what can you do about it?

A departmentalised and fragmented health service is inefficient. Information flows are weak and the patient experience suffers. Collaborative care (also known as integrated care and shared care) is a trend in healthcare reform. It can improve care in terms of quality, efficiency and the patient experience.